The Start of the Season
Every year, I denote the coming of spring not by the warming weather but by the Northeastern Woodworkers Association’s Annual Showcase. Since moving back to Upstate New York, I have attended the event every year. Made up of tool vendors, presenters, and a gallery-style exhibition of work by our local woodcrafters, the event brings us out of our hibernation, from under the blanket of snow, to thaw our social skills with the warmth of the woodworking community.
I walked into the show this year, different than the ones previous. I was met at the door by fellow Active Interest Media (AIM) staffer Logan Wittmer, editor in chief of Popular Woodworking magazine and a TV personality on Woodsmith Shop. He handed me a badge and headed in to take a seat at the AIM booth. Issues of Popular Woodworking, Woodsmith, and Fine Woodworking were strewn across the table, inviting passersby to stop and thumb through or grab for later consumption. I sat with Logan and talked about the trees in Upstate New York while attendees and vendors alike strolled around, stopping at our booth to share their experiences with the magazines or, in Logan’s case, the TV show or podcast. During a lull in the foot traffic, Logan popped up and said, “Let me introduce you to some folks.” We were now the strollers, stopping to admire tools and chat with vendors. Every vendor at the show was warm and welcoming, eager to talk about their new sandpaper design or upcoming class schedule at their school, and I was in match-step with them.
Logan was presenting in a classroom down on the other side of the convention center and was off to go set up. I zigzagged through the booths, buying up a couple of old carving gouges from the antique tool dealers and a book by Peter Korn at the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship booth. An hour had passed as I made my way back to the AIM booth for a second round of conversation about glue preferences or sawblade hook angles, and I noticed that the Northeastern Woodworkers Association had a large cordoned-off area next to our booth filled with mini-lathes where people were being taught to turn pens. Volunteers were guiding willing attendees, whether seasoned experts or first timers, to pick up a gouge and start turning. The rate of pens coming out of that booth was impressive. The line never shortened throughout the whole day, and I couldn’t help but consider the number of people who were from that day forward hooked on woodworking. Back at our booth I saw our stack of magazines depleting. I bent a few more ears before wandering back into the show.
I poked my head into a couple of classrooms to see some presentations. Logan was milling away on a log at the bandsaw, explaining every cut and the subtleties within each log. I stopped in for a second to hear Tom McLaughlin talking shellac (one of my favorite topics) and Libby Schrum breaking down woodworking design basics so well that I walked away with a new favorite layout technique. Before the day ended, I knew I needed to carve out some time to walk around the gallery. There were two separate galleries—one main section with everything from decorative carvings to fine furniture, and the second gallery dedicated to turned pieces. Meandering from piece to piece, I appreciated the time and effort everyone had put into their work, along with the courage to share their creations with their peers. With my cup filled with inspiration and new friendships, I’m looking forward to the upcoming season of growth.
Not only does this event set the horizon for longer days and blooming trees, but it is the first that kicks off many similar events. Fine Woodworking New England, Hand Tool Haven (Plane Wellness), Texas Woodworking Festival, Handworks, and Woodworking in America are just a few. I’m sure your local guild or association has a showcase of some sort, and my recommendation is to go out, talk to people, and get inspired to learn and share some new techniques—and, of course, to haggle with the grumpy antique tool dealers.
Sign up for eletters today and get the latest techniques and how-to from Fine Woodworking, plus special offers.
